New Delhi, Ap 15: Ahead of the special three-day parliamentary sitting set to discuss the Women's Reservation Bill and delimitation, Miss India 2024, Nikita Porwal, has voiced her full support for the proposed legislation, calling it a significant step toward empowering women across the country.
Porwal emphasized the importance of the initiative, despite its scale, stating, "A small initiative can do big wonders in a country like India." She expressed her gratitude towards the government, describing the move as a "thoughtful decision" that would have a lasting impact.
Porwal highlighted that efforts to empower women often have a "multiplier effect" that benefits many women, not just one. "I fully support it and thank the government for this thoughtful decision. Whenever we talk about empowering women and start such campaigns, it benefits not just one woman but many women," she said, expressing her excitement over the development.
Her remarks come as the government prepares to table important legislative proposals during the special sitting of Parliament scheduled for April 16, 17, and 18. The session will focus on amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, along with the proposed Delimitation Bill.
Sources suggest that the Centre is considering a significant expansion of the Lok Sabha to implement the Women's Reservation Act in the 2029 general elections. The proposal includes increasing the total number of Lok Sabha seats from the current 543 to 850, with 815 seats allocated to states and 35 reserved for Union Territories.
Additionally, the government is looking to introduce a constitutional amendment to establish 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha, a long-debated reform aimed at enhancing gender representation in India's highest legislative body.
However, the proposed delimitation exercise has faced criticism from Opposition parties. Several leaders have expressed concerns that the delimitation bill will reduce the representation of southern states in the Lok Sabha. Opposition parties have also objected to the government's decision to "rush" the bill before the upcoming general census.
